A few years back, we spoke with a friend of the store, fashion icon (he won't mind us saying that!) and musician Darron J Connett. He recently released a new album called All That Malarkey so we thought what better time than now to have a chat.
Hello mate, it’s been a while! Last time we had a chat, aside from the interview, was at the Regency gig. Now a year or so on, we are here again and you’ve got a new album! What’s the reception been like?
Hello mate! Nice to chat again! Thankfully, reception has been very good. As an independent artist, I really rely on physical copies selling as otherwise, it becomes an expensive hobby! The CD’s are selling well and all profit from those sales goes into making the vinyl record.
How long would you say it took you to write it?
I wrote a lot of it during the pandemic, had so much time to kill, so I just wrote. Some of those tracks made up the album, and others didn’t make the cut. Some tracks ended up being written during the recording sessions themselves. Candescent Smile is one of those. I didn’t want it to be rushed and wanted to make it as perfect as possible so in all, it took around 18 months. I love the whole process of recording, it’s lots of fun, but you’ve really gotta put everything into it. Me and the producer, Mani Perazzoli had a great laugh making it, and hopefully everyone enjoys it.
I’ve really loved the album and find myself liking different tracks more at each listen. Into The Void is epic! Is there one particular track you are especially proud of?
All of them! I’d say though, that L’inizio is special. It is a first for me as I composed all of the music for it. Then Candescent Smile was my first recorded duet as a solo artist so that means a lot too. In all honesty though, each track makes me proud and Mani did an incredible job with it. Maybe an album of duets should be next! I’m always up for collaborations, and I get drunken offers from people quite often! Unfortunately though when the drunken haze passes, they never seem to come to fruition!
Which independent bands or performers are you rating right now?
I love Regency, they are a bit like me, I suppose. They refuse to be pigeon-holed and are pretty much genre-defining. I really admire that in musicians. There are so many good bands about now, though and I couldn’t name them all, but I need to give a shout out to Darlings, they are great, and Maze are smashing it right now! But listen, if you are out there, putting yourself onstage, and meaning it, you're alright by me!
So I’ve seen you live and you put on a great show, a real frontman. I think that helps make a gig something special. Other times, I’m locked onto the bass player and admiring their work, other times it's just the anthemic tracks and the crowd that shape it. What, for you, are the best gigs you’ve been to recently?
Cheers mate! I’d say The Hives and Arctic Monkeys at The Emirates was my best. It was Father's Day and I was with my youngest son Frankie, which alone made it special. Great gig and a beautiful memory.
Any you wish you hadn’t been to?
At the time yeah! Like seeing Oasis when Liam was pissed. I remember thinking he’s mugging us all off now, and its disrespectful to all of us that have paid to come along. Now though, those gigs go down as era-defining! So all is forgiven and I was there to see it all happen!
If you could get up on stage and have a gig with someone, who would you choose?
I’m always up for a collaboration, but I would love to get Kate Bush out of retirement. Her voice is just phenomenal. I think I’ve got more chance of getting George W Bush to perform with me though!
So, we’ve now got your dream performer, but what venue is THE one? The dream venue you want to perform at?
It’s gotta be Shepherds Bush Empire. It’s where I’m from, and I could see it from my bedroom window when I was growing up.
Hammersmith Odeon or Apollo, or whatever it’s called now, would be another one as I was an usher there showing people to their seats when I was 14. Imagine a skinny 14-year-old kid showing a big, hairy arse rocker to a seat to watch Megadeath! Wouldn’t happen today but I got to see some great shows doing that!
Going back to the album, can you give us an insight into your songwriting process?
I haven’t really got one! I never want to hold back on any creativity so I never sit down on purpose and write something unless it's to music that needs a vocal melody and lyrics,
Most of the time, I’ll be feeding the dog or something and then an idea just pops into my head, and once I am are sure it’s not someone else's, just hum or sing it into my phone! There are probably about 500 stored on mine now and easily 99% will never get heard.
I hate that, though, because I wish I could do 5 albums and 12 singles a year, I get really prolific and can’t stop! There is nothing I like more, though, than seeing an early idea evolve into a fully recorded track.
Who do you take your influences from?
To be honest, and I’ve said this many times, absolutely anyone who makes a record, and I mean that as I absolutely love music. For All That Malarkey there was a hint of Kate Bush, Prince, and Georgio Moroder with the true spirit of rock ‘n’ roll running through it!
Do you think Spotify and other streaming platforms are ruining opportunities for new musicians or actually making them more accessible?
I think if it’s used as a tool to find new music, then it's great, but it doesn’t really help the musicians in any way. Even the huge ones. So imagine what it does for a smaller, independent artist. If you aren’t on Spotify, you are not considered as anything, unless you are The Beatles!
Of course, download an album and listen to it on your phone or something, but buy physical copies too! Otherwise, artists like myself cannot fund the next project. Musicians need to get paid, and it’s as simple as that. I know bands selling out huge venues but still working the 9-5 as otherwise they can’t afford to live. Someone is making the money, and it’s not us!
So with All That Malarkey now out there, what are your next plans in music?
A bit more promo for it, to be honest. Hopefully, a vinyl release next year, and I am hoping that we can get The Last of The Troubadours to regroup and record that elusive album! Myself and Joel Rogers have been throwing around a few song ideas, so it looks promising!
We should probably talk about clothes for a bit! You are known for having great taste! So what are you wearing this year?
Far Afield popover shirts have become a favourite, I’ve got a bit obsessed with them! Gabicci Vintage is always a favourite. Adidas Original sometimes too, and of course Fred Perry. I’ve got a couple of Real Hoxton smocks that I love, and my Clarkes Originals collection is steadily growing. I dress for the occasion so sometimes you might even see me in a suit!
And before we go, have you got any CDs left and if so, how can we get one?
Just a small amount now, just drop me a message on social media, or email djcmusic@hotmail.com and I can get one sent out to you. I’ll even sign it!
Cheers Darron, nice to chat again and congratulations on an amazing album!
Cheers Russ, always a pleasure, see you soon
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